Selector for automatic phonographs



Nov. 25, 1947. M. w. KENNEY ET AL 2,431,646

SELECTOR FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Feb. 28, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 MPLIF/EZ ATTORNEY NOV. 25, 1947. M, w, KENNEY ET AL 2,431,646 a SELECTOR FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Feb. 28, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS' ATTORNEY NOV. 25, 1947. M w, KENNEY ET AL 2,431,646

SELECTOR FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Feb. 28, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TORS Wii Nov. 25, 1947. M. w. KENNEY ET AL SELECTOR FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Feb. 28, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS A17 DRIVE! Patented Nov. 25, 1947 samc'roa roa ao'rom'rrc rnonooaarns Mahlon W. Kenne'y, Oak Park. and Hugh 1!. Davis, Chicago, Ill., asalznors to J. P. Seeburg filoliioratlon, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Application February 28, 1944, Serial No. 524,232 13 Claims. (oi. 117-353) This invention relates to selectors for automatic phonographs and has for its principal object the provision of such a selector whichcontrols the playing or reproduction of the desired recordings in the order in which they are manually selected.

In accordance with the present invention, the selections made are recorded or stored upon an elongated member. This member is automatically moved so as to put the phonograph in operation to reproduce the first desired recording. Thereafter the elongated member is moved longitudi-y nally periodically to insure the playing of the next selected recording and so until the desired program has been completely reproduced in accordance with the selecting signals. y

it is preferred to employ a flexible longitudinal member such as a tape or wire. The longitudinal member may be in the form of a continuous tape or wire or it may be discontinuous, in which case it is preferably supplied from a spool or reel. It may be collected on another reel or it may be discarded'after the'signals have been taken up from it.

in one embodiment of the invention, the iongitudinal member is in the form of a steel wire or tape, upon which the signals are stored by magnetization. This material is particularly adapted for use as a continuous length or band since it can readily be "wiped or cleared of the signals so that the same strip can be used over and over again. This material can also be employed with the aid of a supply reel and a take-up reel. Very fine wire may be employed and enormous lengths of it may be collected on relatively small reels so that the device may be used for very long periods without servicing. After the wire has been transferred from the supply reel to the take-up reel,

the reels may be reversed in position for a furtherlong period of operation. As will hereinafter appear, such a machine includes means for wiping the used signals off the wire. The wiping means may be rendered inoperative so that a complete program may be set up on a continuous length of wire and this program may be reproduced indefinitely.

Another embodiment of the invention utilizes In the specific embodiments of the invention hereinafter described and illustrated the different signals are constituted by 2 trains of impulses each of desired number. Thus in the case of a phonograph having 100 available recordings, the first train corresponds to tens and the second train corresponds to units. Inorder to provide 100 signals with 2 trains the signals are numbered 00, 01, 02, etc.. up to 99. The 0 train may be arranged to provide 3 impulses, the 1 train 4 impulses, the 2 train 5 impulses, etc. A dial of the usual telephone type may be employed to provide the desired trains oi impulses. It is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to-2 trains for each signal. It is within the scope of the invention to employ a single train of impulses for a single signal and it is also within the scope of the invention to employ more than 2 trains for a single signal. In the embodiments illustrated 2 trains are employed because they are peculiarly suitable with the use of a conventional dial for conveniently selecting any number of recordings out of 100 or less availinFig.1;*

a strip or tape of paper or other flexible noncon- Fig. 3 is a plan view of the dial and associated mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. i;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 showing a, mechanism arranged for-the employment of a continuous length of steel wire or tape;

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing a modified form of wire or tape wlndup; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. l modified for the I employment oi a strip of paper or other nonconducting material for the storage or the selector signals.

The present invention is, for convenience deapplication there is described and illustrated a selector which responds to two series of electrical impulses to displace any one of aseries of 100 bars depending on the number of impulses in each train. Displacement of a bar results in putting into operation the phonograph motor 22 to reproduce the recording corresponding to the displaced bar 20. After the phonograph is put into operation it closes a switch 28 which maintains the phonograph motor in operation during the playing of the recording, In the subsequent automatic record changing cycle the switch 28 is opened and if no other bar 20 is in displaced position the motor circuit is opened. After the phonograph motor is put into operation and the selection determined by mechanical engagement of the projected bar 20, this bar is automatically returned to its initial position. In the patent referred to above, any number of the bars 20 could be projected to cause the phonograph to play or reproduce the corresponding recordings. In the present invention, only one bar is displaced at any one time. Any desired number of selections may be made by actuation of the dial 2| but the selection signals are stored on the movable elongated member which is the steel wire 23 in the embodiments of Figs. 1, 6, and 7 or the nonconducting tape 24 of the embodiment of Fig. 8.

' When no bar 20 is displaced, the presence of two or more signals on the wire or tape automatically puts the selector into operation to pick up two signals from the wire or tape to eifect actuation of the bar 20 corresponding to these two signals. After the phonograph has responded to the actuation of this bar to select the corresponding recording, the displaced bar is automatically returned to normal position. If there are two more signals on the wire or tape, the bar corresponding to the next two signals is projected forthwith and when the first recording has been reproduced the phonograph returns the second projected bar, and reproduces the second selected recording and this sequence is repeated until all the selected recordings have been reproduced. When that condition is attained the phonograph motor stops. Operation of the phonograph may be resumed by dialing two more signals. It is to be understood that in the embodiments of the invention illustrated, each signal consists of a definite number of electrical impulses.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the reference numeral 23 designates a, continuous steel wire on which the selecting signals are recorded by magnetization. The wire passes between rollers 21 and 28 and between rollers 29 and 30. These rollers are arranged to engage firmly the wire and cause it to be fed to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 whenever'the rollers are driven. The wire 23 passes around idle rollers 3| which define a continuous path for the wire. Means are provided for constituting two reservoirs 32 and 33. Reservoir 32 is located on the output side of the rollers 21 and 28. It comprises an idler roller 34 and a weighted sheave 35 around which the wire passes. The reservoir 33 is located on the output side of the rolls 29 and 30 and it comprises idler rollers 36 and a weighted sheave 31 around which the wire passes. Normally the reservoir 33 stores a large length of wire. When signals are applied to the wire, the wire is fed by the rollers 21 and 28 to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 and afters large number of signals are stored on the wire, a major portion of the wire initially in the reservoir 33 is transferred to the reservoir 32. As signals are taken from the wire, the wire in the ,4 reservoir 32 is fed by the rollers 29 and 30 back to the reservoir 33. It is to be understood that the simple weighted sheave type of reservoir shown is intended to be merely an example of any suitable means which may be employed for storing a large length of wire. The weighted sheaves maintain both lengths of wire between the rollers 21, 28, and 29, 30 taut at all times. On the input side of the rollers 21 and 28 the wire rides in contact with the poles of the electromagnet 38 which may be of any suitable kind used in the art of wire recording. The poles of this magnet are arranged with a very small gap, for example of the order of .001 inch. The winding 39 of the magnet is connected through switch means on the dial, indicated diagrammatically as the switch 40 on Fig. 1 and hereinafter more minutely described, to a source of combined direct and alternating current, suitably derived from the power supply 4|. 0n the output side of the reservoir 32, the wire rides past the poles of a electromagnetic pick-up 42 which may be precisely similar to the electromagnet 39. The passage of the magnetized spots of the wire past the poles of the pick-up 42 created minute alternating currents in the winding of the pick-up 42, which currents are supplied to the signal amplifier 4| for amplification and rectification, the corresponding direct current impulses being transmitted over the wires 43, 44, and 46 which supply them to the electrical system of the selector of the above mentioned application.

The machine is energized by power from power lines 48 and 41, the latter including the on and off switch 48. When the switch 43 is closed a signal lamp 49 is illuminated.

When the dial 2| is manually actuated and released a switch 50 is closed. The switch 50 is connected to power line 48 and to one of the terminals of the motor 5| which drives, through suitable gear reduction (not shown), the roller 21. This terminal of the motor is connected to limit switch 52 and to a switch 53. The other sides of the switches 52 and 53 are connected together and to the power line 46. The other terminal of the motor 5| is connected to the power line 41. The switches 50, 5'2, and 53 being in parallel, the motor 5| operates as long as any one of them is closed. A signal lamp 6| in parallel with the terminals of the motor 5| is arranged near the dial 2| and it is preferably accompanied by indicia indicating to the operator that the dial 2| should not be actuated while the lamp 6| is illuminated, that is when the'motor 5| is energized. In operation, the switch 50 closes for a short time after the dial 2| is manually released. Before the switch 50 opens, the switch 52 is closed by the movement of the cam 54 on the roller 21 and the motor 5| continues to operate until the roller 21 has made one complete revolution. During the initial part of this complete revolution the switch means 40 closes a number of times depending upon the number dialed and the corresponding number of magnetized spots is applied to the wire moving past the electromagnet 38. As will hereinafter be pointed out, the dial 2| is arranged so that the motor 5| is brought up to speed before the switch means 40 begins to close for its appropriate number of times. It may here be noted that the switch 50 remains closed during the time that impulses are being supplied to the electromagnet 38 from the switching means A switch 58 is arranged to cooperate with the sheave 35 when the wire in the reservoir 32 is being depleted. Momentary closing of the switch 58 energizes the relay 59 closing the switch 53, closing the normally open switch 66 in parallel with the switch 58 and opening the normally closed switch 6|. When the sheave 35 rises sufficiently to close the switch 58 a circuit is completed from the secondary of the transformer 62' through relay 59, switch 58, and switch 62. When the relay 59 is energized a holding circuit is completed through switches 66 and 62. The switch 62 is arranged to be opened by the cam 54 after the motor 51' has been put into operation by the switch 53. A switch 63, in series with the normally closed switch 6| is arranged to be closed momentarily by the cam 54 after the cam permits switch 52 to close and before switch 62 is opened. The switch 63 is connected to the power line 46. The switch 61 is connected through a relay 64 to the power line 41. The relay 64 is energized during each actuation of the motor 51 initiated by the switch 56 on the dial 2|. When the reservoir 32 closes the switch 56 the closing of the switch 63 does not energize the relay 64 because the switch Si is open, the relay 59 remaining energized until the holding circuit is interrupted by the opening of the switch 62 which occurs after the switch 63 is momentarily closed.

Each time the motor is put into operation,

a length of wire corresponding to the circumference of the roller 21 is fed into the reservoir 32. The motor 51 may suitably be arranged to operate for about three seconds and to feed approximately two inches of wire during each operation. The rollers 21 and 28 carry meshing gears so that the rollers operate in unison. The

rollers 26 and 36 carry similar meshing gears 56 so that they are driven simultaneously by the motor 51. The rollers 21, 28, 29, and 36 may suitably be of hard rubber or other suitable material and the rollers of each pair are held firmly together so that they provide positive feed for the wire.

The armature 65 of the relay 64 projects through a window 66 and cooperates with a ratchet wheel 61. The Window 66 is arranged so that on each energization of the relay 64 the wheel 61 is moved one tooth in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. The armature is biased upwardly and to the right hand side of the window 66 by means of a spring (not shown). A spring pressed detent 68 engages the periphery of the wheel 61 so as to hold the wheel in any position into which it is actuated. An insulating pin 69, carried by the wheel 61 is arranged to open a switch 16 which is biased to closing position. The normal or initial condition of the switch 16 and pin 69 is shown in Fig. 1. When the wheel 61 is moved one tooth in the counterclockwise direction the switch 16 does not closebut a second similar movement of the wheel 61 closes the switch 16. Consequently, when the wheel 61 is moved two or more tooth spaces from its normal position the switch 16 is closed. The

- wheel 61 shown in Fig. 1 is arranged for the stornormally closed switches 12 and 13 after an even number of displacements of the wheel 61 in the counter-clockwise direction from its initial position. This even number may be 100 or a somewhat greater number. The switches 12 and 13 are arranged in series with the switching means utilized for the projection of one or more bars 26.

The normal position of the wheel 61 is defined by a stop 14 carried by the wheel 61 and a stationary stop 15. The wheel 61 is biased towards its initial position by a relatively weak spring 16 one end or which is secured to a stationary point of the machine, the other end being coiled around a shaft of the wheel 61 and secured thereto.

The wheel 61 is returned. towards initial position, two teeth at a time by means of the armature 11 of a relay 18. This relay is in parallel with the relay 19 (the relay M of the above identified patent). The magnet 42 picks up two series of impulses and supplies them to the signal ampliiler 4! wherein they are rectified and amplified. The amplified signals are supplied by lines 43, 44 and 65 to the stepping mechanism 45' which I is illustrated diagrammatically to represent the stepping mechanism of the above mentioned patent. These two sets of impulses rotate the arm 86 by steps from an initial position until the outer end of the arm 86 is below the desired bar 26. Thereupon the relay 16 and also the relay 16 are energized so that the bar 26 determined by the number of impulses in the two trains, is pro- .iected upwardly. Thereafter the arm 66 returns to its normal position in the manner described in the patentreferred to. The armature 11 pro- -jects through a window 8! which is arranged to cause the armature to move the wheel 61 two teeth at a time in the clockwise direction. The spring of the armature (not shown) normally biases it into the full line position in Fig. 1. Projection of a bar 26 by the arm 66 engages con-' motor 61 is connected to one side of the normally closed switch 66 and the one side of the normally open switch 66. The other side of the normally closed switch 66 is connected to one side of the switch 16. The other side of the switch 16 is connected to the other side of the normally open switch as and to the power line 61.

Energization of the relay 65 which is effected by the projection of any one bar 26 completes the circuit of the motor 22 so that the phonograph is put into operation to reproduce the recording depending upon which bar 26 is projected. After the motor goes into operation and the recording to be reproduced is determined the selecting bar 26 is returned to its initial position. Before this occurs, the switch 26 is automatically closed by the phonograph so that the phonograph motor 22 continues, to operate until the selected recording is fully reproduced. After the record is reproduced the phonograph opens the switch 26 and, if in the meantime no other bar 26 has been projected the phonograph ceases to operate.

The switch 88 is controlled manually by a button 86 which when pressed downwardly as viewed in Fig. 1 closes switch 88, opens normally closed switch 96 and closes normally open switch 91. The opening of the switch 96 interrupts the con- 7 nection between the line 43 and line 44 and connects line 43 to line 45 through a suitable load resistor 92 and a neon lamp 93. when the button 89 is manually actuated its lower end 94 engages thetail of V the detent 68 so as to free the wheel 61 and allow it to return to normal position under the influence of the spring 18.

On the wire input side of the electromagnet 38 is provided a signal eraser or wiping means 95. This may suitably be a coil through which the wire passes and which is arranged to be energized by direct voltage provided by the power supply 4 I The coil 95 creates a sufliciently strong field to remove the magnetization signals applied by the electromagnet 38. The wiping means 95 may be rendered ineffective by manually opening a switch 96 in one of its supply lines. A normally open switch 91 arranged in parallel with the switch 19 is provided for manual actuation. If the switch 96 is opened a program or repetoire of signals may be impressed upon the wire 23 and the program may be reproduced indefinitely. The switch 91 being closed provides for the energization of the motor 51 notwithstanding that the switch 10 is opened when the program has been reproduced once. To erase the program it is merely necessary to close the switch 99 and press the button 89. The wire is then drawn past the pick-up 42 by the motor 51. The impulses suplied to the lines 43 and 45 are not supplied to the lines 4-4 and 45 on account of the fact that that switch 99 is opened. -These impulses are transferred across the load resistor 92 and the neon lamp 93 flashes. When the lamp ceases to flash the operator is apprised of the fact that no signals are left on the part of the wire located between the eraser 95 and the pick-up 42. The signals to the incoming side of the eraser 95 when the button 89 is depressed are erased by the passage of the wire through the eraser 95 which is now eifective owing to the closing of the switch 96. After the wire is thus effectually cleared of signals the switch 91 is opened and the motor 51 is rendered inoperative until at least two trains of impulses are dialed upon the dial 2I. When the button 89 is actuated the wheel 51 is freed to return to its normal position. Thus if the op- .erator sets up a program and desires to cancel the program before it is reproduced once, he may do so by suitable actuation of the switches 96, 91, and button 89 and return the device to normal condition.

In Figs. 2 to 5 are shown details of the dial 2I.

The dial includes a stationary plate 98 which bears numbers in register with openings 99 in a rotatable disc I99 mounted in front of the plate 98. A stationary finger stop I 9| is arranged to be engaged by a finger inserted in one of the openings 99 for the actuation of the dial.

The disc I09 is rigidly mounted on a shaft I92 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing I03 carried by a frame I 04. The frame I94 rigidly carries the plate 98. A disc I95 of insulating material is rigidly carried by frame I94, being for example supported rigidly on the bearing I93. The shaft I02 loosely carries an arm I 06 which has secured thereto a contact arm I91 which is biased forwardly so as to engage contacts I99 arranged in arcuate series On the disc I05. The

contact arm I01 is conductively connected to a I forwardly projecting pin I99 carried by the arm ms. The shaft I92 and the disc I99 are biasd in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 into the normal condition shown in that figure by means of a spiral spring II9 one end of 8. which is connected to the frame I04, the other end being connected to a collar III- rigidly carried by the shaft I92.

' A disc II2 rigidly carried by the shaft I92 is mounted thereon forwardly of the arm I98. This disc is of insulating material and it is provided with an arcuate recess H3 best shown in Fig. 2 which extends for about 100. The pin I09 is located within this recess. Upon the disc H2 is mounted a metal arcuate strip I I9 which projects slightly into the upper end of the recess II3 as viewed in Fig. 2, and terminates short of the lower end of the recess. The disc IIZ carries a contact arm II5 which engages the strip M4 and projects forwardly to engage a conductive strip II1 mounted on the disc I95. The contacts I98 are connected to a conductor H9. The strip IE1 and the conductor H6 are the terminals of the switching means shown diagrammatically at 49 in Fig. 1. In the normal condition of the dial the end of the metal strip H4 is in engagement with the pin I 99 and the contact arm I91 is clear of the contacts I98. The spring IIIl biases the disc I00 and the disc I I2 in the counter-clockwise di-- rection as viewed in Fig. 2 and the arm I91 is pressed against a stop I98 so as to hold the disc 109 in the normal position shown in Fig. 2. A

gear I I8 loosely mounted on the shaft I92 meshes with a pinion II9 which is rigidly connected to a gear I29. This gear meshes with a pinion I2I, the

shaft of which carries a governor I22 of conventional phonograph type. The governor controls the normally open switch 59, the arrangement be ing such that when the governor I22 acquires speed the switch 50 is closed. When the governor I22 loses speed the switch 59 is again opened.

The gear II8 carries a dog I23 which cooperates with a ratchet wheel I24 rigidly carried by the shaft I02.

When the disc I99'is moved in clockwise direction from its initial position shown in Fig. 2 the conductive strip II4 moves away from the pin I 99. Thereafter the contactor arm II5 engages the conductive strip III and the arm I91 remains stationary until itis engaged by the nonconducting disc H2 at the lower end of, the recess II3 as viewed in Fig. 2. After this engagement the arm I9! is carried past a plurality of the contacts I 99. It is to be noted that during this last mentioned movement the circuit between the conductor H8 and the strip H1 is open since the pin I99 is out of engagement with the conducting strip I I4.

The number of contacts I98 passed by the arm I91 depends upon the number dialed. Thus if 0 is dialed the arm I 91 passes three contacts I98 and comes to rest between the third and fourth contact. If the No. 1 is dialed four contacts are passed, and if the No. 9 is dialed twelve contacts are passed. During this clockwise movement of the disc I09 the ratchet wheel I29 slips past the dog I23 and the train of gearing remains stationary. When the disc I99 is manually released it is moved in counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. In this return movement the ratchet wheel I24 drives the train of gearing and the governor I22 so that the switch 59 closes starting the motor 5i. When this motor has got up to speed the strip II4 engages the pin I99 and carries the arm I91 back over the contacts I98 p st by the arm in its clockwise movement. During this return movement the circuit between the conductor IIS and the strip 1 is completed each time the arm I 91 engages a contact I08 so that a number of impulses corresponding to the numher of contacts I08 past are supplied to the eleca o a a i tromagnet 22. This circuit is through the eonductorill, contacts llll. 'arm I", pinlll, strip harm ill, and strip li'l.

The dial is preferably arranged so that the circuit to the electromagnet 22 is closed for about 120 of a second for each impulse and is broken for about If of a second between impulses." when using an alternating magnetising current of sixty cycles, three complete cycles or waves of magne-' tization are applied during each impulse on the wire 23. A train of the maximum number of impulses occupies approximately V4 of an inch on the wire 23 which may have a speed about of an inch per second, the motor 5| being arranged to feed two inches oi. wire in a period of about three seconds. Consequentlfi each train of impulses on the wire is eflectively separated from the preceding and subsequent trains.

The amplifier unit designated ll includes an amplifier, rectifier and relay means which controls the transmission of impulses over the lines 43, 4 and 45 to the stepper units of the mechanical selector in accordance with the impulses picked up by the pick-up 42. The relay means may suitably consist of a gas tube and the amplifying and rectifying elements may be substantially similar to those shown in patent application Ser. No. 259,586, filed March 3, 1939, by James A. Boyaiian, now U. 8. Letters Patent No. 2,388,595. granted November 6, 1945, it being understood that the circuits are tuned to sixty cycles. It will be understood that any suitable audio I circuits may be employed instead of tuned circuits. The transformer 62 supplies twenty-five The switch 48 ls'tumed on to supply energy to the device. To select recording 41, the number.

four is dialed and then the number seven. On each dialing the motor Ill is put into operation to draw two, two inch lengths of wire past electromagnet 38. On these two lengths of wire are impressed seven and ten impulses. The relay B4 10 that the motor continues to operate until the end of the recording. After the selection of recording 47 has been determined by the machine the displaced bar is returned to normal position.

In the event that the dial 2| is actuated four, six or any greater even number of times signals corresponding to two. three or a larger number are applied to the wire hand in this case wire accumulates in the reservoir 22 at the expense .of wire originally in reservoir 22. In this case the wheel 61 will be displaced more than two steps from its normal position and it will not be returned to open the switch It until the relay I0 is energized a number of times corresponding to the number of recordings selected. After the bar 20 corresponding to the first recording selected has been moved upwardly switch 88 is opened terminating the operation of the motor 51. After this bar is returned to normal position the switch 88 closes with the result that the motor 51 resumes operation and the pick-up 42 picks up the next two trains'of impulses resulting in the upward displacement of the bar 20 corresponding to the next selection. Thereupon the switch 86 is energized twice moving the wheel. two one tooth steps in the counter-clockwise direction. The second movement closes the switch it so that the motor 51' is put into operation to draw the wire carrying the signals past the pick-up 42. During this movement of the wire the reservoir 82 may be substantially depleted, in which case the motor ii! is again put into operation through the action of the relay 59. This operation of the motor does not energize the relay 64 since the switch 6| is open at the part of the cyclein which switch 63 closes. The first train of impulses results in the transmission of a corresponding number of impulses over the lines it and to the tens stepper of the stepping mechanism 45. The second train of impulses actuates-the units stepper of the stepping mechanism 45' and immediately thereafter the electromagnet i9 and the relay 18 are energized. Consequently, the bar 20 corresponding to recording No. 47 is pushed upwardly. The energlzation of the relay 18 moves the wheel 61 back two teeth opening the switch 10, terminating the operation of the motor 57. The upward displacement oi. the bar 20 energizes relays 84 and 85 and the closing of the switch 81 initiates the operation of the phonograph motor 22. Operation of the motor 22 closes switch 26 so is again opened and the motor 81 is maintained out of operation until the second bar is pushed back after the playing of the first record. This operation continues indefinitely until all the trains have passed the pick-up 42 and until the bar 20 corresponding to the last recording is pushed upwardly, whereupon the armature I1 returns the wheel 81 to its normal position in which the switch it is opened. After the last recording has been selected by the corresponding bar 20 this bar is returned to its normal position the motor 22 continues to operate the phonograph until the last recording has been reproduced whereupon the switch 28 is opened and the machine is at rest until one or more recordings are again selected by the dial 2i. It is to be noted that the wire passing towards the electromagnet 38 is wiped or deprived of previous signals by the eraser 95.

If it is desired to set up a program on the wire 23 for repeated reproduction the switch 96 is opened rendering the eraser ineffective. The dial is then operated to apply the appropriate trains to the wire 23. The switch 91 is closed so that the motor 57 will notice rendered inoperative by the opening of the switch 10 at the end of the selection ofthe first program. Consequently, control of the motor 5'! will be left exclusively to the switch 86. When no bar 20 is pushed upwardly the motor 51 will operate to push up the bar 20 appropriate to the next selection. When a bar 20 is pushed up the motor 5'! is inoperative in all cases. To erase the program and resume normal operation the switch 96 is closed and the button 89 is pressed. If the wheel 81. is not at its normal position the actuation of the detent 68 by the button 89 permits it to move to its normalv position. The motor 51 is put into operation its circuit being completed through switch 88 and switch 91. Consequently, wire is drawn past the pick-up 42, the switch 58 bringing the motor 5! into operation to feed the wire through the rolls 21 and 28 when the reservoir 32 is being depleted. Whilethe button 89 is depressed the impulses transmitted by 43 and 45 do not go to the mechanical selector and are directed across the resistor 82 and the neon lamp 93. Any signals originally on the wire to the right of the eraser 95 and between the eraser 95 and the-pick-up 42 are indicated by flashing of the lamp 93. Any signals on the wire to the left of the eraser 95 are removed in normal manner after the closing of the switch 08. When the lamp ceases to flash all signals are effectually disposed of and the button 89 is manually released and switch 91 is opened to leave the machine in normal condition.

It will, of course, be understood that the mechanism described may be enclosed within a suitable cabinet which may house the mechanical selector and the rest of the phonograph mechanism. The dial 2|, button 89 and switches 90 and 01 are located on the exterior of such cabinet for the manual operations of these elements described above. It may here benoted that the motor 51 is preferably arranged to operate at substantially the same speed as the motor 5| and all the rolls 21, 28, 20, and 30 are preferably the same size.

It has heretofor been mentioned that the reservoirs 32 and 33 are shown diagrammatically by way of example only. These reservoirs may be of any suitable type. Each of them may for exampl comprise upper stationary block of pulleys and a lower suspended block of pulleys, the wire being rove around the pulleys so that any desired length of wire may be accommodated in the reservoirs.

If a number of recordings are selected by dialing beyond the capacity of the machine the projection 1| opens the switches 12 and 13 so as to render the dial ineffective. A dial light energized by a pair of contacts associated with switches 12 and 13 may be provided to indicate to the operator that the selective capacity of the machine has been reached.

The modification shown in Fig. 6 operates with a discontinuous length of wire. The wire employed may be of .004 inch in diameter so that very large lengths may be accommodated on a supply reel I30 and a take-up reel I3I, of reasonable size. The reservoir 33 is omitted and a reservoir 32 of suitable type is located between the rollers 21 and 28 and the pick-up 42. The reel I30 may be mounted for free rotation on a shaft I32 which may be arranged in manner similar to supporting shafts for moving picture reels. The reel I3I is driven by the motor 51, this reel being nonrotatably mounted on the shaft I33 which is driven by the motor 51 so that it moves the wire 23 at an average speed substantially equal to the speed of the wire past the electromagnet 38. Since the hub of the reel I3I is of substantial diameter, there is no great variation of the speed of the wire moving past the pickup 42. Consequently, the tuned amplifier previously described will respond to the impulses picked up by the pick-up 42. The audio amplifier provides perfectly satisfactory amplification for the impulses notwithstanding considerable variation in the speed of the wire past the pick-up 42. The eraser 95 for this modification is preferably in the form of a C-shaped electromagnet the poles of which are provided longitudinal slots through which the wir passes so that the wire moves longitudinally through the gap of the magnet. This form of magnet facilitates the removal of the reels and the wire from the machine so that the reels I3I and I30 may be exchanged for resumption of operation after the bulk of the wire has been transferred from the supply reel to the take-up reel. The wire may be connected to both reels and any suitable indicating means may be employed to indicate that the reels ought to be exchanged. I

This embodiment does not lend itself to the setting up of a program for repeated reproduction.

. 12 Consequently. the switch 96 may be omitted, the switch 81 and its conductors may be omitted and the button 89 and associated elements may be omitted. In this case the conductor 43 is connected directly to the conductor 44.

The embodiment of Fig. 7 is substantially similar to that of Fig. 6 with the exception that the motor 51 is arranged to move the wire by means of rollers 29 and 30 with a uniform speed substantlally identical with the speed of the wire past the electromagnet 3B. These rollers are connected by meshing gears 51 as in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1. In this case the reel I3I is nonrotatably mounted on a shaft I33 which is driven by a friction drive-constituted by pulley wheels I34 and I35 mounted on the lower gear wheel 55 and on the shaft I33, respectively. The pulleys I34 and I35 may be connected by a flexible belt such as a coiled wire belt used in home movie projectors. Means are provided in both embodiments of Figs. 6 and 7 to keep the wire taut. Such means may consist of a spring member I36 arranged to bear against one side of the reel I30.

The modification of the invention illustrated in Fig. 8 employs a tape 24 of paper or other insulating material. The tape is supplied from a spool I31 and passes therefrom through a perforating punch I38 to the feed rolls 21 and 28, which supply it to a reservoir 32 generally similar to the reservoirs described in connection with Fig. 1. The tape extends from the reservoir 32 past a pick-up device I39 through which it is drawn.

by the rollers 29 and 30 driven by the motor 51. The tape fed from these rollers passes to discard. The dial 2I operates the switching means 40 in the same manner as described in connection with the embodiment of Fig. l to ground the negatively biased grid of a gas tube I40 located in the power pack MI. The output circuit of the gas tube I40 is connected to a solenoid I42 and the secondary I43 of the transformer I44. The primary I 45' of the transformer is connected to the power lines 46 and 4,1, the device being energized by the closing of the switch 48. The indicating lamp 49 indicates that the device is energized. The switch 12 in series with the switch means 40 prevents the making of selection beyond the capacity of the counter-wheel 81, the switch 12, being arranged for actuation by a projection 1| on the wheel 61 in the manner described in connection with the first described modification.

The armature of the solenoid I42 is mechanically connected to the punch I38 so that each impulse punches a hole in the tape 24. The armature of the solenoid I42 is also mechanically connected to a lever I43 arranged to cooperate with a ratchet wheel I45 on the roller 28. Each time the solenoid I42 is deenergized the lever I43 is moved upwardly by its spring I46 so that the paper 24 is stepped to the right after each punching operation. The step may be double the diameter of the hole punched so that the impulses are applied to the paper as a series of equally spaced perforations. The first of a train of impulses received by the solenoid I42 closes switch I41 which grounds one side of a slow release relay I48 which is connected to a source of direct current in the power pack I4 I. During each train of impulses the switch I 41 is closed repeatedly so that the relay I48 remains energized and holds the switch I49 open until the train is completed. The motor 5| drives a dog I50 in a counter-clockwise orbit. This dog engages a ratchet wheel I5I 13 on the roller 21. When the rollers 21 and 28 are stepped by the dog I44 the ratchet wheel I| slips past the dog I50 so that the stepping is accomplished without impediment by the reducing gearing associated with the motor 5|. The cam 54 carried by the drum 2'I cooperates with switches 52, 63, and 62 in the same manner as in the first described embodiment. The reservoir switch 58 and the relay 59 are associated with the switches in manner similar to corresponding switches of the first described embodiment.

One terminal of the motor 5| is connected to power line 46. The other terminal of the motor is connected to one side of the switch I49. The other side of this switch is connected to switch 52, this'switch being connected to line 41. The

switch 53 isarranged in parallel with the switch 52. One side of the switch 62 is grounded, the other side being connected to the parallel switches 58 and 60 which are connected to the relay 59. The other side of the relay 59 is connected to secondary 62'.

On transmission of the first impulse the switch 52 closes but the switch I49 opens so that the circuit of the motor 5| is not completed until the relay I48 becomes deenergized at the end of the train of impulses. When the switch I49 closes the motor 5| is put into operation and it remains in operation until the cam 54 on the roller 21 again opens the switch 52. Thus a definite piece of tape substantially greater than the length occupied by the perforations is fed into the reservoir 32. During the rotation of the roller 21 the switch 63 is closed momentarily completing the circuit of the relay 64, which is energized from the secondary 62'. The ratchet wheel 61 is moved one tooth in the counter-clockwise direction but the switch remains open until another train of impulses is dialed.

When the reservoir switch 58 is closed the motor 5| is put into operation to feed a standard length of tape through the rollers 21 and 28. During such operation of the motorthe relay 64 is not energized since the switch BI is open when the cam 54 closes the switch 63.

The pick-up I39 comprises a flexible contact which is arranged to extend through-a perforation in the paper 24 to make contact with a grounded plate on the other side of the paper. When this contact is established the negatively biased grid of a gas tube I55 in the power pack MI is grounded. The output circuit of the tube I55 and the high side of the secondary I56 are connected to the stepp r elements of the first, mentioned application. Consequently, as two trains of impulses are picked up by the pick-up I39 the mechanical selector is operated so as to project the corresponding bar 20.

One terminal of the motor 51 is connected to power line 46. The other terminal of the motor is connected through series switches I0 and 86 to the power line 41. The switch I0 is'closed after two actuations of the relay 64 so that the motor 51 is. put into operation to move two trains of perforations past the pick-up I39 with the result that the mechanical selector projects upwardly the bar corresponding to the selected recording. The relay I8 is connected to the mechanical selector as in the first described embodiment so that the wheel 61 is returned two teeth each time a bar 20 is projected. If only one recording was selected the switch 10 is opened. As in the previously described embodiments the motor 22 continues to operate until selected recording is reproduced. If a plurality of recordings is semore trains of impulses.

l4 lected by double the number of dial operations, the bar 20 corresponding to the first selection opens the switch 86 and terminates the operation of the motor 51. When the first bar 20 is returned after the first selection is determined the motor 51 is again put into operation to project the bar 20 corresponding to the second selection. Consequently, the motor 51 remains out of operation until after the first recording has been reproduced, the second selection determined and the bar 20 corresponding to the second selection returned to normal position. Whereupon the motor 51 resumes operation to project the bar 20 corresponding to the third selection. When the last selected recording has been determined by the projection of its bar 20 the ratchet wheel 81 is returned to its normal position opening the switch I0 so that the motor 51 remains inoperative until another selection is made by dialing two While the invention has been described in connection with the specific details of preferred embodiments thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

1. A selector for automatic phonographs adapted to control the reproduction of a plurality of recordings in selected order, comprising an elongated fiexible signal receiving member, means for applying to said member a series of signals individually corresponding to a series of recordings, pickup means adapted to pick up from the member the signals corresponding to each individual recording, and means responsive to the pickedup signals for a recording for rendering said Pickup means inoperative.

2. A selector for automatic phonographs adapted to control the reproduction of a plurality of recordings in selected order, comprising an elongated flexible signal receiving member, means for applying to said member a series of signals individually corresponding to a series of recordings, pickup means. adapted to pick up from the member the signals corresponding to each individual recording, means responsive to the pickedup signals for a recording for rendering said pickup means inoperative, and phonograph actuated means for again initiating the operation of said pickup means to pick up the signals from said member corresponding to the next selected recording.

3. A selector for automatic phonographs adapted to control the reproduction of a plurality of recordings in the order selected comprising an elongated flexible signal receiving member, means for applying to said member a series of signals individually corresponding to a series of recordings, pickup means adapted to pick up from said member signals corresponding to each individual recording, said member being movable relatively to both said signal applying means and said pickup means and adapted for the location of a variable length of said member between said signal applying and pickup means which may be substantially greater than the distance between said signal applying and pickup means, and means controlled by the signals picked up by said pickup means and corresponding to an individual re- 1cording for rendering said pickup means inopera- 4. A selector for automatic phonographs adapted to control the reproduction of a plurality of recordings in the order selected comprising an l elongated flexible signal receiving member, means ior applying to said member a series of signals individually corresponding to a series or recordings, pickup means adapted to pick up the signals corresponding to each individual recording, said member being movable relatively to both said signal applying means and said pickup means and adapted for the location of a, variable length of said member between said signal applying and pickup means which may be substantially greater than the distance between said signal applying and pickup means, means controlled by the si nals picked up by said pickur means and corresponding to an individual recording for rendering said pickup means inoperative, means controlled by the picked-up signals for causing the phonograph to reproduce the corresponding recording,

and phonograph controlled means for again initiating the operation of said pickup means to control the reproduction of the next selected recording.

- initiating the operation of the pickupmeans,

means controlled by the signals picked up for terminating the operation of the pickup means, means between the signal applying means and pickup means for accommodating a large length of said flexible member bearing signals, a plurality of movable members each corresponding individually to an individual recording, means controlled by an individual signal picked up by said pickup means to displace the corresponding movable member, and means operatively associated with said movable members for terminating the operation of said pickup means;

6. A phonograph comprising actuable members each corresponding to an individual recording, means controlled by each actuated member for starting the phonograph motor and controlling the reproduction of the corresponding recording, means actuated by the phonograph motor for returning said member to initial position, an elongated flexible member adapted to receive signals, means for applying thereto a series of signals each corresponding to an individual recording, pickup means arranged to pickup the signals one at a time, means associated with said pickup means for actuating the member corresponding to the signal picked up, and means controlled by each saidmember in actuated position for rendering said pickup means inoperative.

7. A phonograph comprising actu'able members each corresponding to an individual recording, means controlled by each actuated member for starting the phonograph motor and controlling the reproduction of the corresponding recording, means actuated by the phonograph motor for returning said member to initial position, an elongated flexible member adaptedto receive signals, means for applying thereto a series of signals each correspondingto an individual recording, pickup means arranged to pick up the signals one at a time, means associated with said pickup means for actuating the member corresponding to the signal picked up, counting means-operably associated with said signal applying means and said actuable members for rendering said pickup means inoperative when the members corresponding to the series of signals have been actuated, and means controlled by each member in actuated condition for rendering said pickup means inoperative.

8. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a. continuous magnetizable flexible member, means for applying thereto a series of magnetization signals each corresponding to an individual recording, pickup means adapted to pick up said signals one at a time, means associated with said pickup means for causing the phonograph to reproduce the recording corresponding to the signal picked up, means on the phonograph, operated at the end of the reproduction of each recording for causing said member to move past the pickup means to keep the phonograph in continuous serial operation, and means arranged to be energized at will to remove said magnetization signals from said member.

9. In a selector for automatic phonographs, in

combination, a strip of signal receiving material,

a motor, strip drive means operable by said motor, means for supplying a, signal of a definite number of impulses, means responsive to each impulse to apply an impulse indication to the strip and to move the strip drive means forward one step for each impulse, and a circuit for said motor including a limit switch on said drive means and a switch arranged to be held open by said impulses, said limit switch being arranged to be closed by the stepping movement of the drive means, whereby the motor becomes operative to move the strip forward when the train of impulses terminates, to effect movement of a standard length of strip for each train of impulses.

10. In a selector for automatic phonographs, a dial, an elongated flexible magnetizable member,

' a motor adapted to move said magnetizable member, means for applying magnetizing impulses to the moving member, means on said dial for starting said motor, means on said dial for creating a train of said impulses, and a limit switch for stopping said motor after the train of impulses is complete.

11. In a selector for automatic phonographs, a dial adapted on each actuation to transmit a train of impulses, a member adapted to receive said impulses, means for applying said impulses to said member, a counter including a ratchet means, a, switch controlled by said ratchet means,

, means controlled by said dial to move said ratchet means one stepfor each dial operation, said switch being arranged to close after two such steps, means to return said ratchet means two steps at a time towards switch opening position, pickup means controlled by said switch arranged to pick up a signal corresponding to two trains of impulses from. said member, and recording selecting means controlled by said two trains of impulses for selecting a recording corresponding thereto, said selecting means being operatively connected to said ratchet'return means whereby said ratchet means is returned two steps for each recording selected, said member being arranged for the accommodation of a large number of trains between the pickup means and said applying means.

12. In a selector Ior automatic phonographs, a dial adapted on each actuation to transmit a train of impulses, a flexible member adapted to receive said impulses, means for applying said impulses to said member, a counter including a 17 ratchet means, a switch controlled by said ratchet means, means controlled by said dial to move said ratchet means one step for each dial operation, said switch being arranged to close after two such steps, means to return said ratchet means two steps at a time towards switch opening position, pickup means controlled by said switch arranged to pick up signals corresponding to two trains of impulses from said member, recording selecting means, controlled by said two trainsof impulses for selecting a recording corresponding thereto, said selecting means being operatively connected to said ratchet return means whereby said ratchet return means is returned two steps for each recording selected, reservoir means arranged between the applying means and the pickup means for accommodating a large length of said member, a switch adapted to be closed by said reservoir defining means when the reservoir is being depleted, means controlled by last said switch for supplying an additional length of said member to said reservoir, and means for preventing actuation of the ratchet means during said replenishment.

13. In a selector for automatic phonographs, in combination, an elongated flexible member adapted to receive signals, signal applying and member moving means, the last said means being arranged to feed a length of said member past said applying means, means defining a reservoir in which a variable length of said member carry- 18 mg signals may accumulate, means for picking up signals, one at a time from said member and effectually removing the part of the member carrying a signal from the reservoir, and phonograph selecting means responsive to such signals one at a time.

MAHLON W. KENNEY. HUGH H. DAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,303,918 Dimond Dec. 1, 1942 2,307,965 Shepherd Jan. 12, 1943 2,304,590 Osborne Dec. 8, 1942 20 2,342,652 Eakins Feb. 29, 1944 2,206,550 Mordin July 2, 1940 2,215,892 Thompson Sept. 24, 1940 2,313,136 Fisher Mar. 9, 1943 2,080,100 Tauscheck May 11, 1937 25 2,362,827 Joachim Nov, 14, 1944 2,233,026 Mock Feb. 25, 1941 2,298,447 Wright Oct. 13, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 30 Number Country Date 312,196 Great Britain June 20, 1929 

